Job Overview: Staff Physician – Retina Ophthalmology

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), a world-renowned, physician-led extension of the US-based Cleveland Clinic model, is seeking an elite Staff Physician in Retina Ophthalmology. In this high-stakes surgical role, you act as the “Clinical Architect,” responsible for the “Retinal DNA” and visual outcomes of complex tertiary cases within the Integrated Surgical Institute. This position is designed for a “Vitreoretinal Specialist” who can navigate the complexities of advanced retinal surgery, diagnostic imaging, and multispecialty care with “Microsurgical Accuracy.” As part of a Western-trained, North American board-certified team, you will ensure that ophthalmic care at Al Maryah Island scales with the “Pristine Outcomes” that define the Cleveland Clinic legacy.

Key Information

Employer: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (Mubadala Healthcare)
Location: Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Experience: Minimum 2 years post-qualification (for Tier 1 country applicants).
Education: MD/MBBS + Ophthalmology Specialization + Retina Fellowship.
Tier 1 Countries: Include USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and others as per DOH PQR.
Core Focus: Diagnosis and surgical treatment of retinal diseases and conditions.

Key Responsibilities

You will manage the “Ophthalmic Care Lifecycle” through a rigorous evidence-based and surgical framework:

Clinical Orchestration: Monitoring and providing specialized care for patients within the Retina Ophthalmology specialty, ensuring “Patient-Centered DNA.”
Surgical Mastery: Performing advanced vitreoretinal operations and surgical procedures with a focus on superior clinical outcomes.
Diagnostic Intelligence: Analyzing complex records, reports, and imaging (OCT, Angiography) to diagnose conditions and gather critical medical history.
Treatment Advocacy: Prescribing medication and therapies while explaining procedures and test results to patients in a culturally sensitive manner.
Multispecialty Synergy: Liaising with other CCAD medical and non-medical staff to ensure an integrated, high-quality patient experience.
Governance Stewardship: Participating in administrative functions, including committees, task forces, and performance improvement measures.
Record Integrity: Maintaining meticulous electronic medical records (EMR) to serve as a “Source of Truth” for patient history and referrals.

Candidate Requirements

CCAD seeks a “Medical Authority” with a focus on professional grit:

Academic Pedigree: MD, MBBS, or equivalent basic degree plus recognized Ophthalmology specialization from a Tier 1 country.
Specialization IQ: Completion of a formal Fellowship or subspecialty training specifically focused on Retina.
Licensing Mastery: Must hold a valid license to practice in their home country and meet DOH Abu Dhabi licensure requirements.
Communication Polish: Fluency in English (written and verbal) is mandatory; proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred for patient interaction.
Leadership Grit: Demonstrated ability to manage teams of health care professionals and maintain effective working relationships.

Salary and Benefits

This role offers a prestigious “Global Consultant” rewards package in a world-class environment:

Tax-Free Remuneration: Competitive tax-exempt salary (Estimated AED 65,000 – AED 95,000+ per month, based on 2026 Abu Dhabi Tier-1 consultant benchmarks).
Lifestyle Architecture: Housing accommodations in Abu Dhabi and assistance for annual flights to your home country.
Comprehensive Security: Market-leading medical insurance, professional liability coverage, and retirement savings plans.
Professional Evolution: Exceptional opportunities for research, accredited continuing education, and career progression supported by the US-based Cleveland Clinic.
Environment: Work in a “Magnet” recognized, state-of-the-art facility featuring 26 operating rooms and the latest surgical technology.

Estimated Average Salaries (2026 Abu Dhabi Physician Benchmarks)

Salaries for Staff Physicians reflect the “Clinical Responsibility” of the role:

Position Level	Estimated Monthly Salary (AED)
Specialist Physician	AED 45,000 – AED 60,000
Staff Physician (Tier 1 Consultant)	AED 65,000 – AED 95,000+
Department Chair / Leadership	AED 110,000 – AED 160,000+

Unique Job Description

Position: Staff Physician, Retina — Architecting the DNA of Visual Restoration

Are you a “Retinal Specialist” who believes that the success of a world-class surgical institute is built on the precision of its procedures and the soul of its patient care? Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi—the region’s benchmark for medical excellence—is seeking a Staff Physician, Retina Ophthalmology to join our elite Integrated Surgical Institute. We don’t just “treat eyes”; we engineer the Surgical Frameworks and Clinical DNA that allow patients to Flourish and regain their sight through the most advanced tertiary services in the Middle East. This isn’t a role for a “general practitioner”; it’s a mission for a “Vitreoretinal Architect”—someone who can navigate the complexities of macular surgery and retinal detachment with “microsurgical grit” and provide the polished leadership that a global healthcare leader demands.

In this position, you are the pilot of our clinical mission. You will spend your days (on the vibrant Al Maryah Island) architecting the surgical plans, diagnostic breakthroughs, and treatment protocols that define our reputation for superior outcomes. Whether you are using your technical mastery to perform a complex vitrectomy or utilizing your communication skills to explain a life-changing diagnosis to a family, your “proactive mindset” and “patients-first” attitude will be our greatest assets. You thrive in a state-of-the-art environment where you are trusted to lead clinical innovation, challenged by the rapid pulse of medical technology, and rewarded with a lucrative, tax-free career at the “Heart of Global Healthcare.”

We are looking for proactive physician leaders with a passion for surgical excellence and an “impact-first” mindset. If you have the “resourcefulness” to lead our retina specialty toward regional prominence and the “discipline” to uphold the Cleveland Clinic gold standards, CCAD offers you the premier platform to reach your potential. Join us in Abu Dhabi, and let’s engineer a more extraordinary and connected future for the world of ophthalmology together.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi

The Company

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) is a world-class multispecialty hospital and a unique extension of the US-based Cleveland Clinic model. Established through a partnership between Mubadala Investment Company and Cleveland Clinic, it serves as a cornerstone of the UAE’s healthcare sector. By 2026, CCAD has transitioned from reproducing excellent care to “creating the future of healthcare,” operating as a part of the M42 group . It is a designated Center of Excellence for Stroke and Adult Cardiac Surgery, recently expanding its footprint with the region’s first Carbon Ion Therapy facility and the Fatima bint Mubarak Center for advanced oncology.

Culture

The culture at CCAD is defined by the core principle: “Patients First.” It is a mission-driven environment where clinical excellence meets a “Caregiver” philosophy.

The “Caregiver” Identity: Every employee, whether clinical or administrative, is considered a “caregiver.” The culture emphasizes “Purpose-Driven Work,” supported by enterprise-wide resets like the “Power of Purpose” movement.
Innovation & Research Hub: CCAD consistently ranks as the top research hospital in the UAE. The internal culture encourages a “Scientific Mindset,” where AI-assisted diagnostics (like robotic SEEG procedures and robotic lung transplants) are integrated into daily practice.
Global Collaboration: With over 80 nationalities , the workforce thrives on a “Multicultural Teamwork” model. CCAD regularly hosts global leadership retreats to break down silos and ensure the “Cleveland Clinic Way” is localized for the Gulf.
Wellbeing & Growth: As a Magnet-recognized hospital, CCAD prioritizes professional development and emotional well-being, offering virtual leader development programs and e-learning for stress management to combat healthcare burnout.

Location

CCAD occupies a stunning, LEED-certified 23-acre site that serves as an architectural landmark on the Abu Dhabi skyline.

Al Maryah Island: The hospital is located on Al Falah Street, Al Maryah Island , the city’s premier business and lifestyle destination. This location provides high-speed connectivity to both the traditional downtown and the newer financial districts.
“Healing Environment” Design: The facility is a “structural steel marvel” weighing 30,000 tons. Its design maximizes natural light while reducing solar heat gain, creating a serene, high-tech sanctuary for patients and staff alike.
Strategic Expansion: In 2026, while the Al Maryah campus remains the hub, CCAD is expanding via satellite clinics and surgical centers across the capital to bring its “future of healthcare” model closer to residential communities.

CCAD 2026: Clinical & Tech Excellence Matrix

Institute	2026 Strategic Milestone	Impact for the Region
Oncology	Carbon Ion Therapy Facility.	Region’s first precision radiation treatment.
Transplant	Fully Robotic Kidney/Lung Transplants.	Global leadership in minimally invasive surgery.
Neurology	Level 4 Epilepsy Center (Robotic SEEG).	Advanced diagnostics for complex brain disorders.
Research	Top-Ranked Research Hospital (NCHR).	Leading the UAE’s push into clinical trials & AI.

2026 Professional DNA & Standards

The “Magnet” Standard: For nursing and clinical staff, CCAD adheres to Magnet Recognition Program standards, seeking professionals who demonstrate “Transformational Leadership” and “Structural Empowerment.”
AI-Ready Clinicians: In 2026, the hiring focus is on “Tech-Enabled Practitioners” who can utilize Adaptive Radiotherapy and AI-assisted MRI scanning to maximize patient safety.
Global Benchmarking: Professionals at CCAD are benchmarked against the highest US and European academic medical standards, with many physicians completing a rigorous “40-interview” screening process.
Public Health Advocacy: Beyond the hospital walls, staff are encouraged to be “Wellness Ambassadors,” participating in community initiatives like the Cancer Run 2026 and serving as medical partners for national events like the Liwa International Festival.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.clevelandclinic.org.